Revisiting the Chapman's Wedding

[debrand]

For many on this forum, Marantha and Matthew Chapman's bizarre courtship story is old news but some of our new members might not know who the couple is.

 

According to Homeschool Anonymous, the couple will not attend the Christian Home Educators of Ohio’s convention this summer. To catch some of you newbs up, I thought that I would write a summary of their courtship.

 

homeschoolersanonymous.wordpress.com/2013/12/17/matthew-and-maranatha-chapman-withdraw-from-2014-cheo-convention/

 

When Maranatha was 13, Matthew Chapman told her father Stan Owen that he wanted to marry her. Although Stan already believed that god wanted his daughter to marry the 26 year old man, he ordered Matthew to not let his daughter know about his intentions. He also told Maranatha to let her feelings for the young man die. A couple of years of jerking both the hopeful groom and the underaged girl along continued until Stan relented and gave Matthew a Christmas Card

 

 

Quote

Stan’s Christmas present to Matthew was a Christmas card with the words “This year for Christmas, I am going to give you the greatest gift I could ever give you†on the front. Inside was a photograph of Maranatha. There were also instructions: “On January 1st, you may ask Maranatha to marry you.†The instructions stated, however, that while Matthew and Maranatha could become engaged Stan would not give Maranatha to Matthew until he determined she was ready, which might be months or years. Matthew proposed and Maranatha accepted.

 

Stan wanted to do things as they were done in the Bible, when betrothal was legally binding. Therefore, on February 22, 1988, just over a month after Matthew’s proposal and Maranatha’s acceptance, the two were legally married at the courthouse. Maranatha continued to live in her father’s home until her official “wedding†day, which, although she was already legally married, would be when she would begin her married life.

 

So, the 15 year old bride waited at her father's house for her dad to give the okay for their marriage.

 

 

 

Quote

Maranatha was taken by her family members to the home of another Christian family. There Maranatha waited for Matthew to come and claim her. Every day between 3 pm and midnight she dressed in her wedding dress and sat with her suitcase, waiting. Finally, at long last, Stan told Matthew that the day had arrived, and Matthew came to the house where Maranatha was staying, claimed her, and took her to a surprise wedding feast Stan had prepared, complete with guests, singing, and dancing. The couple then left on their honeymoon and began their married life.

 

She was 15 when she moved in with her 28 year old husband.

 

patheos.com/blogs/lovejoyfeminism/2013/12/the-rest-of-the-maranatha-story.html

 

 

On this site, you can see a photo of the Chapman's 16 year old daughter at her marriage to an older man. She looks so young, even younger than 16 and the man looks like he is in his late twenties

patheos.com/blogs/lovejoyfeminism/2013/12/the-rest-of-the-maranatha-story.html

[MysteryHaggis]

For many on this forum, Marantha and Matthew Chapman's bizarre courtship story is old news but some of our new members might not know who the couple is.

According to Homeschool Anonymous, the couple will not attend the Christian Home Educators of Ohio’s convention this summer. To catch some of you newbs up, I thought that I would write a summary of their courtship.

homeschoolersanonymous.wordpress.com/2013/12/17/matthew-and-maranatha-chapman-withdraw-from-2014-cheo-convention/

When Maranatha was 13, Matthew Chapman told her father Stan Owen that he wanted to marry her. Although Stan already believed that god wanted his daughter to marry the 26 year old man, he ordered Matthew to not let his daughter know about his intentions. He also told Maranatha to let her feelings for the young man die. A couple of years of jerking both the hopeful groom and the underaged girl along continued until Stan relented and gave Matthew a Christmas Card

So, the 15 year old bride waited at her father's house for her dad to give the okay for their marriage.

She was 15 when she moved in with her 28 year old husband.

patheos.com/blogs/lovejoyfeminism/2013/12/the-rest-of-the-maranatha-story.html

On this site, you can see a photo of the Chapman's 16 year old daughter at her marriage to an older man. She looks so young, even younger than 16 and the man looks like he is in his late twenties

patheos.com/blogs/lovejoyfeminism/2013/12/the-rest-of-the-maranatha-story.html

What. The. Fuck.

[nausicaa]

Maranatha was taken by her family members to the home of another Christian family. There Maranatha waited for Matthew to come and claim her. Every day between 3 pm and midnight she dressed in her wedding dress and sat with her suitcase, waiting. Finally, at long last, Stan told Matthew that the day had arrived, and Matthew came to the house where Maranatha was staying, claimed her, and took her to a surprise wedding feast Stan had prepared, complete with guests, singing, and dancing. The couple then left on their honeymoon and began their married life

I just...I can't even. :hand:

[salex]

Thank you, God, that I was not born into a home with a mentally ill father.

[nausicaa]

Thank you, God, that I was not born into a home with a mentally ill father.

I had the same exact thought while reading the story. My parents made a lot of mistakes and had a lot of issues, but when I was fifteen I was expected to go to school and get good grades, go to my dance classes, and hang out with my friends. I was not presented as some sort of God-offering to a horny thirty year old virgin on a power trip from the voices he hears in his head.

[16strong]

Worse might be that Marantha's daughter Lauren got married as soon as she could at age sixteen, to a man in his late 20's as well. Then she named her daughter Living Hope.

[debrand]

Many of these fundies only have one goal for their daughters, to remain married and have children who do the same. Sadly, this low level of expectation makes Maranatha successful in their eyes.

Thankfully, I want all my children to have many goals to reach in their lives. IF a 26 year old man told me that he wanted to marry my 13 year old daughter, he would no longer be allowed near my home and I would warn all my friends. The fact that Stan Owen's response was to manipulate the situation speaks to how worthless these 'protectors' are.

[nausicaa]

Worse might be that Marantha's daughter Lauren got married as soon as she could at age sixteen, to a man in his late 20's as well. Then she named her daughter Living Hope.

Which means that Marantha could have been 32 years old at her daughter's wedding. I don't even consider a 32 year old to be an older bride.

[geeklove]

:P

Thank you, God, that I was not born into a home with a mentally ill father.

I was, but my dad wouldn't have pulled this crap. He was bipolar, not crazy.

[Jana814]

This is nuts!!! R they still married? Does anyone know how many kids they have.

[16strong]

This is nuts!!! R they still married? Does anyone know how many kids they have.

Still married, 7 kids.

[Jana814]

Still married, 7 kids.

Thanks!! Did all of the daughters marry as young as older girl.

[16strong]

Thanks!! Did all of the daughters marry as young as older girl.

I actually have no clue. Here's Maranatha's blog:

livinglifeloudly.com/

[nausicaa]

Thanks!! Did all of the daughters marry as young as older girl.

It seems one of the daughters, Lauren did. She was sixteen when she got married. Her blog is surprisingly well-written and thoughtful.

[SamuraiKatz]

The Chapman's "Kindling Publications" website has been reduced to one page. Nothing available via the wayback machine either.

[sonja_kat]

What. The. Fuck.

LMAO

[sonja_kat]

This has to be the most bizarre story I've ever read.

[Rebelwife]

For many on this forum, Marantha and Matthew Chapman's bizarre courtship story is old news but some of our new members might not know who the couple is.

According to Homeschool Anonymous, the couple will not attend the Christian Home Educators of Ohio’s convention this summer. To catch some of you newbs up, I thought that I would write a summary of their courtship.

homeschoolersanonymous.wordpress.com/2013/12/17/matthew-and-maranatha-chapman-withdraw-from-2014-cheo-convention/

When Maranatha was 13, Matthew Chapman told her father Stan Owen that he wanted to marry her. Although Stan already believed that god wanted his daughter to marry the 26 year old man, he ordered Matthew to not let his daughter know about his intentions. He also told Maranatha to let her feelings for the young man die. A couple of years of jerking both the hopeful groom and the underaged girl along continued until Stan relented and gave Matthew a Christmas Card

So, the 15 year old bride waited at her father's house for her dad to give the okay for their marriage.

She was 15 when she moved in with her 28 year old husband.

patheos.com/blogs/lovejoyfeminism/2013/12/the-rest-of-the-maranatha-story.html

On this site, you can see a photo of the Chapman's 16 year old daughter at her marriage to an older man. She looks so young, even younger than 16 and the man looks like he is in his late twenties

patheos.com/blogs/lovejoyfeminism/2013/12/the-rest-of-the-maranatha-story.html

I feel like I need to take a shower after reading that. :ew:

[16strong]

This has to be the most bizarre story I've ever read.

I don't know why, but the part where she had to go to a neighbor's house and sit there in her wedding dress day after day with a suitcase was really...disturbing.

[sonja_kat]

I don't know why, but the part where she had to go to a neighbor's house and sit there in her wedding dress day after day with a suitcase was really...disturbing.

Bingo. Geez these people actually live in a parallel universe.

[sonja_kat]

Okay, now that I am over the initial WTFness of it all: Maranatha's father and husband are both pervs of the highest degree hiding behind religion. This story is so disturbing on so many levels. My father would have gone to jail if some overgrown man had expressed his desires towards little 13 year old me.

I love the snark factor of FJ, but sometimes I walk away a little sad. Now is one of those times.

[divadivine]

I think of this family at Advent when we sing the song "Maranatha, come".... I have to contain my laughter.

[divadivine]

I found this gem... Seems the Chapmans were uninvited to speak at a conference this year due to their advocacy of marrying homeschool girls in their "middle-teens" to older men.

homeschoolersanonymous.wordpress.com/2013/12/17/matthew-and-maranatha-chapman-withdraw-from-2014-cheo-convention/

Discuss.

[dilannsmom]

I just...I can't even. :hand:

At least she got plenty of use out of her wedding dress! :cracking-up:

[sonja_kat]

I found this gem... Seems the Chapmans were uninvited to speak at a conference this year due to their advocacy of marrying homeschool girls in their "middle-teens" to older men.

homeschoolersanonymous.wordpress.com/2013/12/17/matthew-and-maranatha-chapman-withdraw-from-2014-cheo-convention/

Discuss.

Good!!!!